Supersensitive energizing circuit

ABSTRACT

A supersensitive energizing circuit comprising an impulsegenerator for generating an impulse sensible by a responsive sensory organ of a human being. An open-circuit arrangement is electrically coupled with the impulse-generator for permitting communicaTing the latter with an external power supply. A circuit-closure system is provided for closing the open-circuit arrangement thereby communicating the impulse-generator with the external power supply. The circuit-closure system is stationary and responsive for closing the open-circuit arrangement upon contact with skin of a human being. The supersensitive energizing circuit is generally mounted in an electrically conductive housing. The circuit-closure system includes one terminal which is insulated from the housing and exposed for contact with skin of a human being. The circuit-closure system furthermore includes another terminal which is electrically coupled with the housing and thus when the housing is held in a hand of a human being the housing itself and the terminal which is insulated from the housing acts to close the open-circuit arrangement thereby supplying the impulse-generator with power.

United States Patent Posner 1 SUPERSENSITIVE ENERGIZIN CIRCUIT [72] Inventor: Seymour J. Posner, Brooklyn, NY.

[73] Assignee: Friedman and Goodman, Brooklyn,

NY. a part interest [22] Filed: April 16, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 134,637

52 us. Cl. ..307/308, 307/255, 328/5, 331/65 51 int. Cl. ..H03k 17/00 [58] Field of Search ..328/5; 331/65; 340/258 C; 307/308, 255

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,659,533 11/1953 Quinby et al ..340/258 C 3,056,907 10/1962 Costanzo ..340/258 C X Primary ExaminerDonald D. Forrer Assistant Examiner-B. P. Davis Attorney-Friedman & Goodman [451 Oct. 10, 1972 i ABSTRACT A supersensitive energizing circuit comprising an impulse-generator for generating an impulse sensible by a responsive sensory organ of a human being. An open-circuit arrangement is electrically coupled with the impulse-generator for permitting communicaTing the latter with an external power supply. A circuit-closure system is provided for closing the open-circuit arrangement thereby communicating the impulsegenerator with the external power supply. The circuitclosure system is stationary and responsive for closing the open-circuit arrangement upon contact with skin of a human being. The supersensitive energizing circuit is generally mounted in an electrically conductive housing. The circuit-closure system includes one terminal which is insulated from the housing and exposed for contact with skin of a human being. The circuitclosure system furthermore includes another terminal which is electrically coupled with the housing and thus when the housing is held in a hand of a human being the housing itself and the terminal which is insulated from the housing acts to close the open-circuit arrangement thereby supplying the impulse-generator with power.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU UN 1 0 I972 INVENTOR SEYMOUR J. POSNER ATTORNEYS SUPERSENSITIVE ENERGIZING CIRCUIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to electric circuitry for energizing an impulse-generator such as a sound producer or the like, and more particularly to a supersensitive energizing circuit which will supply energy to an impulse-generator simply upon being touched by the skin of a human being.

Many conventional circuits are well known for permitting electric power to selectively flow to a sound generating device, however, these circuits generally utilize a depressible button which may be depressed from a first position wherein the circuit is open to a closed position for closing the circuit thereby supplying electric power to the sound generator. Because of the nature of the depressible button, upon releasing the latter, the button will return to its elevated position by means such as a resilient spring or the like and will thus open the circuit thereby cutting off power to the sound generator. The depressible button in effect acts as a switch and its use is widely known.

The difiiculty with regard to the depressible button is the fact that the latter requires a certain degree of pressure to be exerted thereagainst to effect displacement thereof. Since a certain degree of pressure is required, it has been determined that very young children and particularly infants either lack the strength for depressing the button or alternatively do not necessarily appreciate that the button must be depressed in order to operate a toy in which the depressible button is employed. Thus, most toys which are utilized by infants do not incorporate the depressible button and, therefore, the nature of the various toys that mey be utilized by infants is severely reduced.

Another disadvantage with regard to the depressible button for closing a circuit is the fact that the depressible button is not necessarily instantaneous in operation and, therefore, activation and deactivation thereof is subject to a time delay notwithstanding the rapidity at which the depressible button is depressed. Furthermore, the depressible button by nature is a movable element and, therefore, the internal structure associated therewith after prolonged periods may be subject to wear and damage requiring repair or replacement.

As those skilled in the art readily appreciate, many attempts have been made at obviating the necessity for utilizing the depressible button and one such arrangement utilizes circuitry employing thermocouples which are responsive to the heat or body temperature of a human being for instantaneously closing an electric circuit. However, the employment of the thermocouples is somewhat unsatisfactory since the latter results in a circuit which is generally complex and a good deal more expensive to manufacture than that of circuitry utilizing the depressible button.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an instantaneous switching arrangement that obviates the necessity for utilizing a depressible button.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an instantaneous switching arrangement that does not at all require any pressure whatsoever for its operation.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an instantaneous switching arrangement that does not at all employ heat sensory elements such as thermo-couples which otherwise increase the complexity and production costs thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an instantaneous switching arrangement that may be readily utilized by adults and children of all ages without regard to the strength of the user, or for that matter the users knowledge of the existence of the switching arrangement.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an instantaneous switching arrangement that may be utilized in sound generating devices whether the latter be a toy for a child or a signalling device for an adult.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an instantaneous switching arrangement that may be utilized for controlling sounds of different intensity and frequency and conceivably may be employed for generating music.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an instantaneous switching arrangement which is solely responsive to contact with skin of a human being for generating sounds of different intensity and frequency depending upon the degree of moisture of the skin and the surface area thereof in contact with the skin.

To this end the present invention relates to a supersensitive energizing circuit comprising an impulsegenerator for generating an impulse sensible by a responsive sensory organ of a human being. An opencircuit arrangement is electrically coupled with the impulse-generator for permitting communicating the latter with an external power supply. A circuit-closure system is provided for closing the open-circuit arrangement thereby communicating the impulse generator with the external power supply. The circuit-closure system is stationary and responsive for closing the open-circuit arrangement upon contact with skin of a human being. The supersensitive energizing circuit is generally mounted in an electrically conductive housing. The circuit-closure system includes one terminal which is insulated from the housing and exposed for contact with 'skin of a human being. The circuit-closure system furthermore includes another terminal which is electrically coupled with the housing and thus when the housing is held in a hand of a human being the housing itself and the terminal which is insulated from the housing acts to close the open-circuit arrangement thereby supplying the impulse-generator with power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additional objects and advantages in view as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the housing in which is mounted the supersensitive energizing circuit pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit arrangement of one embodiment of the circuitry pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the circuitry pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the circuitry pursuant to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the circuitry pursuant to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a housing generally denoted by the reference character 10, which housing is generally electrically conductive and includes a perforated face 12 having an enlarged opening through which protrudes an ON-OFF switch 14, and a second face 16 through which protrudes a contact terminal 18. As will be discussed further below, when the housing 10 and the terminal 18 are contacted by skin of a human being such as when the housing 10 is held in the hand of a human being, there is effected a closed circuit for energizing a sound-producing generator mounted internally of the housing 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, there are illustrated four embodiments of the circuitry utilized according to the present invention. The embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are most closely associated with one another, whereas the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 are most closely associated with one another. As illustrated in FIG. 2, there is provided an N-P-N transistor T1. Electrically coupled to the N-P-N transistor T1 is a P-N-P transistor T2 and each of the transistors is provided, as is commonly understood, with emitter, base and collector electrodes. The transistors TI and T2 are electrically coupled such that the collector of the transistor T1 is coupled to the base of the transistor T2, and similarly the collector of the transistor T2 is electrically coupled with the base of the transistor T1. Furthermore, the emitter of the transistor T2 is electrically coupled to the positive side of the battery D through the intermediary of an ON-OFF switch K. The collector of the transistor T2 is electrically coupled with a sound generator or speaker S, whereas the base of the transistor T1 is electrically. coupled with the speaker S through the intermediary of a capacitor C. The negative side of the battery D, the emitter of the transistor T1 and a further terminal of the speaker S are all provided with a common potential and thus are illustrated as being grounded. A pair of terminals L1 and L2 are electrically coupled with the circuitry and are separated from one another for the purpose as will be further described below. The terminal L1 is electrically interposed between the collector of the transistor T1 and the base of the transistor T2, whereas the terminal L2 is electrically coupled directly to the base of the transistor T1 The embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3 is generally identical to that of the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2 except for the manner by which the terminal L1 is electrically coupled to the circuitry. In this respect, the terminal L1 in the embodiment of FIG. 3 is electrically interposed between the switch K and the emitter of the transistor T2.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated 3rd and 4th embodiments of the circuitry pursuant to the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, there is provided a pair of transistors one of which is an N-P-N transistor T1 and the other of which is a P-N-P transistor T2. The transistors T1 and T2 are electrically coupled such that the emitter of the transistor T1 is electrically coupled to the base of the transistor T2, whereas the collector of the transistor T2 is electrically coupled to the base of the transistor T1. The relationship or electrical coupling of the capacitor C and the speaker S in the embodiments of FIG. 4 is generally identical to the electrical coupling or relationship thereof as those embodiments discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Similarly, the battery D, switch K and emitter of the transistor T2 in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 are also generally identical in arrangement or relationship to that of the embodiments as discussed above for FIGS. 2 and 3. In the instance of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 4, the negative side of the battery D, the collector of the transistor T1 and the other terminal of the speaker S are all provided with a common potential and, therefore, are illustrated as being grounded. The primary distinction between the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 is the fact that in FIG. 4 the terminal L1 is electrically interposed between the emitter of the transistor T1 and the base of the transistor T2 in a manner as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the terminal L1 is electrically interposed between the switch K and the emitter of the transistor T2 in a manner as illustrated and discussed above for the embodiment of FIG. 3. It is also noteworthy that in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the terminal L2 is directly coupled to the base of the transistor T1 in a manner as illustrated and discussed for the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The relationship of the transistors TI and T2 as electrically coupled with one another and interposed generally between the power source or battery D and the speaker S for each of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5 is such that when the two terminals LI and L2 are simply touched to the lightest degree by the skin of a human being the infinite resistance between the terminals LI and L2 is significantly reduced and thus the contact of the skin of a human being with the terminals L1 and L2 acts to close the circuit, switch K of course must be closed in each instance also, thereby supplying current or power to the speaker S, which speaker S instantaneously generates sound. Thus, the circuitry for each of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5 is generally characterized as a supersensitive energizing circuit wherein an impulse-generating means or speaker S generates an impulse or sound which is sensible by a responsive sensory organ or ear of a human being. Furthermore, because of the nature of the circuitry, the terminals L1 and L2 are extremely sensitive to the moisture content of skin of a human being and, therefore, skin of greater moisture content will cause the sound produced or generated by the speaker S to be increased both in intensity and frequency.

It is significant that because of the arrangement of the embodiments of FIGS. 2-5, there is absolutely obviated any necessity for the employment of a depressible button which in effect is a switch and, therefore, not only is the circuit instantaneously responsive both as to activation and deactivation, but also there is obviated any necessity for repair or replacement of a depressible button that would otherwise be necessary should the latter have been employed in a circuit of this nature.

Thus, the terminals L1 and L2 may be fixed relative to one another and immediately upon the slightest contact of skin of a human being therewith an electrical impulse is supplied to the speaker S and the latter generates a sound impulse which may be readily controlled both as to intensity and frequency, a feature that cannot be effected by the simple employment of a depressible button. The arrangement of the terminals L1 and L2 relative to the circuitry should be such that the latter terminals L1 and L2 be exposed or accessible from a housing in which the circuitry is mounted. Thus, if the terminals L1 and L2 are exposed relative to the housing a user of the present invention need simply touch the terminals L1 and L2 with his finger thereby closing the circuit and generating a sound.

If both the terminals L1 and L2 are exposed relative to the housing, then the housing itself may be constituted of electrically insulative material. However, in order to enhance the operativeness of the invention especially in those instances where the circuit is employed in a toy for an infant, the infant not necessarily being aware that he must touch both terminals L1 and L2, the housing may be constituted of metal which is electrically conductive and one terminal Ll for example may be electrically coupled to the metallic housing, internally of the latter, whereas the terminal L2 may be insulated from and exposed relative to the housing and protrude therefrom.

Thus, the infant may simply reach out and touch both the electrically conductive housing and the terminal protruding therefrom thereby, without even understanding the fact that he closing the circuit, close the circuit thereby generating a sound through the speaker S. Of course, in the instance where the present invention is employed in a toy for an infant the terminal which is exposed relative to the electrically conductive housing should be enlarged to enhance the degree of effective area that may be contacted by the skin of a child for generating a sound.

As indicated above, because of the nature of the circuitry which is responsive also to the moisture content of skin of a human being, the greater the degree of moisture content the greater the frequency and intensity of the sound generated by the speaker S, it is conceivable that the circuitry pursuant to the present invention may be readily employed for creating musical sounds. In the instance of the electrically conductive metallic housing having the singlely exposed terminal, the latter terminal may be operated upon by the users finger in a manner so as to generate a continuous sound for so long as the finger remains in contact with the exposed terminal. The continuous sound can be readily varied both as to intensity and frequency in a manner as commonly appreciated for generating music. Of course, familiarity with the present invention and experience therewith is necessary for properly effecting musical sounds. However, even a so-called beginner may effect musical sounds upon briefly examining and experimenting with the housing in which is mounted the circuitry pursuant to the present invention.

As those skilled in the art readily appreciate numerous alterations and devices may be utilized for employing the circuitry pursuant to the present invention and the principles and concepts thereof and the variety of uses may extend from the simplest of toys to the most complex of electrical signalling devices. This is an important feature of the present invention since the circuitry is extremely simple and inexpensive in complexion, the transistors being of conventional audio frequency variety or of the radio frequency variety at least partially operable in the audio range, the speaker being of conventional low impedance variety of preferably less than 1000 ohms and the capacitor having a rating preferably at 0.01 MFD.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A supersensitive energizing circuit comprising impulse-generating means for generating an impulse sensible by a responsive sensory organ of a human being, open-circuit means including a pair of transistors electrically coupled with said impulse-generating means for permitting communicating the latter with an external power supply, and circuit-closure means for closing said open-circuit means thereby communicating said impulse-generating means with the external power supply, said circuit-closure means including a pair of terminal means insulated from one another and electrically coupled to said pair of transistors respectively such that said transistors are maintained in an inchoate electrically conductive condition, said pair of terminal means being stationary and responsive for rendering the electrically conductive condition of said transistors complete to close said open-circuit means upon contact with skin of a human being.

2. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said impulse-generating means is sound producing and produces a continuous sound for a period during which said circuit-closure means remains in contact with skin of a human being.

3. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said circuit-closure means includes means responsive to moisture content of skin of a human being for controlling frequency levels of sound generated by said impulse-generating means.

4. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said circuit-closure means is completely non-responsive in the absence of contact with skin of a human being and includes a pair of terminals accessible for contact with skin of a human being.

5. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said impulse-generating means includes a low impedance speaker.

6. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pair of transistors each include emitter, base and collector electrodes, said electrodes of said transistors being electrically coupled both with one another and said impulse-generating means.

7. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the collector of each of said transistors is electrically coupled with the base of the other of said transistors, the emitter of one transistor having a lesser potential than the emitter of the other transistor.

8. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein one of said terminals is electrically interposed between the collector of said one transistor and the base of said other transistor, the other of said terminals being electrically coupled with the base of said one transistor.

9. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein one of said terminals is electrically coupled with the emitter of said other transistor, the other of said terminals being electrically coupled to the base of said one transistor.

10. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said transistors is an N-P-N transistor and the other of said transistors is a P-N-P transistor, and including a capacitor electrically interposed between the base of said N-P-N transistor and the collector of said P-N-P transistor.

11. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the emitter of one transistor is electrically coupled to the base of the other transistor, the emitter of said other transistor being electricallycoupled to the power supply, the collector of said one transistor having a lesser potential than the collector of said other transistor.

12. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 11 wherein one of said terminals is electrically interposed between the emitter of said one transistor and the base of said other transistor, the other of said terminals being electrically coupled to the base of said one transistor.

13. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 3 in combination with an electrically conductive housing in which said circuit is mounted, one said terminal means of said circuit-closure means being insulated from said housing and exposed for contact with skin of a human being, the other said terminal means of said circuit-closure means being electrically coupled with said housing internally of the latter, said one terminal and housing when in contact with skin of a human being acting to close said open-circuit means. 

1. A supersensitive energizing circuit comprising impulsegenerating means for generating an impulse sensible by a responsive sensory organ of a human being, open-circuit means including a pair of transistors electrically coupled with said impulse-generating means for permitting communicating the latter with an external power supply, and circuit-closure means for closing said open-circuit means thereby communicating said impulse-generating means with the external power supply, said circuit-closure means including a pair of terminal means insulated from one another and electrically coupled to said pair of transistors respectively such that said transistors are maintained in an inchOate electrically conductive condition, said pair of terminal means being stationary and responsive for rendering the electrically conductive condition of said transistors complete to close said open-circuit means upon contact with skin of a human being.
 2. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said impulse-generating means is sound producing and produces a continuous sound for a period during which said circuit-closure means remains in contact with skin of a human being.
 3. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said circuit-closure means includes means responsive to moisture content of skin of a human being for controlling frequency levels of sound generated by said impulse-generating means.
 4. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said circuit-closure means is completely non-responsive in the absence of contact with skin of a human being and includes a pair of terminals accessible for contact with skin of a human being.
 5. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said impulse-generating means includes a low impedance speaker.
 6. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pair of transistors each include emitter, base and collector electrodes, said electrodes of said transistors being electrically coupled both with one another and said impulse-generating means.
 7. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the collector of each of said transistors is electrically coupled with the base of the other of said transistors, the emitter of one transistor having a lesser potential than the emitter of the other transistor.
 8. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein one of said terminals is electrically interposed between the collector of said one transistor and the base of said other transistor, the other of said terminals being electrically coupled with the base of said one transistor.
 9. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein one of said terminals is electrically coupled with the emitter of said other transistor, the other of said terminals being electrically coupled to the base of said one transistor.
 10. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 6 wherein one of said transistors is an N-P-N transistor and the other of said transistors is a P-N-P transistor, and including a capacitor electrically interposed between the base of said N-P-N transistor and the collector of said P-N-P transistor.
 11. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the emitter of one transistor is electrically coupled to the base of the other transistor, the emitter of said other transistor being electrically coupled to the power supply, the collector of said one transistor having a lesser potential than the collector of said other transistor.
 12. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 11 wherein one of said terminals is electrically interposed between the emitter of said one transistor and the base of said other transistor, the other of said terminals being electrically coupled to the base of said one transistor.
 13. A supersensitive energizing circuit as claimed in claim 3 in combination with an electrically conductive housing in which said circuit is mounted, one said terminal means of said circuit-closure means being insulated from said housing and exposed for contact with skin of a human being, the other said terminal means of said circuit-closure means being electrically coupled with said housing internally of the latter, said one terminal and housing when in contact with skin of a human being acting to close said open-circuit means. 